Diary of a Lonely Shabbos in Shul

6am Shabbat morning I wake up.

Sat down to say the entire Book of Psalms, as is our custom on the last Shabbos of the month. It usually takes 1½ hours to say. Today it took 3hrs. Why? decided to use a book of Tehillim with commentaries. Kept looking at the meanings and translations of the hard words. And then suddenly the commentary on Psalm 69 verse 14 explains “If circumstances force a person to pray alone, unable to pray with a congregation, one should at least pray in a synagogue.” We took this as a sign that we should leave our home and daven in the empty Shul, even alone.

9:50am

Walk to Shul. Streets are deserted. Only traffic was a winding stream of cars at the Starbucks across the street. Wondering what could they be serving on Shabbos so early, couldn’t be Cholent!

Enter Shul, feel sad, no smell of the cholent in the kitchen, very few lights on. No anticipation for the lively Torah class and all our excitement for Davening and Kiddush farbrengen.

10am

All alone I stand at the Lectern and start davening. Trying to feel the presence of each and all of you with me.

11am

Bluma, my wife comes in. Wow, the shul is slowly filling up! She finishes davening and says ‘you must give a sermon’ I protest why there’s nobody here. No, you must speak. The sermon starts.

Began by announcing the names of each of you who attend our Friday night and Shabbat Services, sending you blessings for Hashem’s protection for good health and speedy recovery.

Highlighted that this is Shabbat Chazak, the Sabbath of Strength, we conclude the second book of Shemos and we bless each with Chazak Chazak V’Nischazak! Be Strong Be Strong and Let us strengthen each other! At this time we need it!

We bless the new month of Nison, a month of redemption from the Egypt of old, redemption from all the diseases and this last exile!

It’s the 25th Adar, the birthdate of Rebbitzen Chaya Mushka of righteous memory. Reminded everyone of the Rebbe’s international birthday campaign, that we all should know and celebrate with meaning our own Jewish birthdays.

Bluma interrupts me. Tell everybody your story with Rebbe in 1988 at the beginning of this birthday campaign.

The Rebbe’s Response

An idea came to me to create a Jewish birthday certificate. Made a very simple postcard with all the details. Submitted it to the Rebbe. I get a call from Rabbi JJ Hecht obm. Over the phone he screams in his endearing inimical way, ‘Why are you telling on me to the boss’ What do you mean. He continues ‘the Rebbe asked me, how come the leader of your Long Island branch is doing this (making a Jewish birthdate certificate) and not you!!

Finally got the courage and asked by wife why she insisted on a sermon. She wanted to remind me that in Shul I make the sermons and at home she makes them!

Four Questions of Elijah the Prophet

The sermon concluded with more humor. This year, before we let Elijah the prophet into our house, we are going to ask him four questions. Of course, we ask his forgiveness upfront.

One: Can we respectfully ask you to put on a surgical mask. (we have some extra on the chair at the door to your left) One size fits all! They come in 4 colors, you may like the blue one, it’s more of a heavenly color. As an angel you can appreciate that.

Two: Before you step near our Seder table, can you please wash your hands with liquid soap for at least 20 seconds before you drink the wine.

Three: Be honest, at the last home you visited did you practice social distancing? If you can’t see us, don’t worry, we are all hiding in the closet until you leave.

Four: For hygiene purposes could you please up drink up all the wine, enough with the sipping. Its ok, we will wash out the wine cup ourselves!

I guess everyone thinks I am serious!